Fourth of July - Washington, DC, or Philadelphia?
 

My girlfriend is in Virginia with me for the summer and isn't exactly the kind of person who readily expresses an interest in doing anything specific when it comes to trip planning and things to do. However, lately she's given me hints that she wouldn't mind spending the 4th of July in Philadelphia if circumstances permit. I'm holding a reservation at the downtown Marriott and hope to be able to use a second-night-free coupon and a $50 Bonus Bucks coupon to knock the price down a bit (side question - can I even use both of these on one reservation?). I'd consider getting tickets to the Phillies game on Friday night, but that looks like we wouldn't be able to enjoy the 4th of July fireworks if we do that.

Now, here's the kicker - I've just found out that we have the option to stay the weekend for free at the Courtyard in Rosslyn, VA, right across the Potomac from where the D.C. fireworks will be going off. We've never spent the 4th in either city, so I guess my question is, which city will be more worthwhile, given our circumstances? If we go to Philadelphia we'll have to drive home Saturday night since she has to work on Sunday.

I'd call Marriott directly about using discounts/coupons in conjunction

As to the stay in Washington..whereas Rosslyn is a very convenient spot and is within walking distance of Georgetown across Key Bridge and has its own Metro stop...you would still want to get CLOSER to the fireworks display IMO by taking the Metro down to the Monument area itself rather than driving.

For me it's a no-brainer Washington DC's fireworks are simply spectacular!!

And yes it IS safe to view the fireworks from below the Monument but it can take foever to get out of there on the Metro after the display is over.

Yeah, we would likely walk into downtown across Key Bridge or, as I've read in the past, walk over to the Iwo Jima Memorial, which is considered one of the prime viewing areas in Virginia rather than fighting the crowds downtown at that time of night.

Hi, PennStateMark -

I must admit that DC's firework displays on the 4th of July always disappoint me a bit - too many fireworks are shot off simultaneously for my tastes, and the show doesn't last long enough. I'd rather have a chance to savor the fireworks before the finale! I liked the fireworks in Philadelphia better, but it has been many years since I saw them there, so they might be doing things quite differently now. Just my opinion. . . .

I'd have to disagree with kja's assessment of the fireworks. We go see them every year and I think they are spectacular. The show lasts about 40 minutes which, I think, is a good amount of time.
FYI, the Iwo Jima Memorial is a good place to see the fireworks if you don't want to go into the District, but remember that LOTS of people will be there too so you'll still need to stake out a spot. However, if I were you, I'd go all the way into D.C. to get a really good view of the fireworks since this will be a special event for you. You could make a day of it by going to the Smithsonian's Folklife Festival on the Mall and/or visiting some museums before the fireworks. After the fireworks are over, you can walk around the monuments until the crowds thin out and then walk back across the river to Rosslyn. I assume you are both young and fit, so you should have no trouble doing this walk.